Remembering

September 8, 2011

Do you remember what you were doing when you first heard what happened on 9-11? I do. I was watching the Today Show when the plane hit the first tower. I thought it was a movie clip, and called my husband out of the shower to watch. Then we heard Matt Lauer say, “Oh no,” or something to that effect. I mostly remember his tone when he informed the nation that the second tower had been hit. Our nation was under attack.

My heart goes out to survivors, to families who’ve suffered such tragic loss, and to our country.

Memory can serve as a powerful tool in writing. It sucks us back into what we experienced, how we felt, sometimes evoking exact smells and tastes of that time. When I teach creative writing workshops, I often use memory as a prompt. Here are five to get your juices rolling.

-Recall an experience that took place in your elementary school cafeteria

-What was in your desk drawer as a kid? What about as a teen?

-What did your dad do on Saturday mornings?

-Did you have a lunch box in third grade and if so what did it look like and what did you pack in it?

Carrie Brown-Wolf

Tidbits about Carrie

I love peanut butter and pickles, together. • When I’m not writing, I’m shuttling three ski racers to the mountain. If I’m lucky, I ski too. • Don’t hate me, but I hate barking dogs. • A good day? Skiing with my family in deep, deep powder, coming home to a pot of spaghetti, and a bottle of red. Unless, I’m snorkeling around an island. • My secret fantasy involves singing in a rock and roll band. Too bad I can’t carry the tune to Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. • Once, when I waited tables, I got yelled at for serving cheese with holes in it. When I told him it was Swiss cheese, he told me he believed in America • I love New York City and the Tunisian desert. • I can’t think of anything better than the smell of an old book • I believe in Quantum physics (whatever that means), living in the moment, laughing hard, caring for others, being involved, and eating movie popcorn with lots of butter.